SIMSBURY — Six months after being sworn in as first selectman, Lisa Heavner on Thursday announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination to campaign for a full term this year.

Heavner made the announcement at the Green Tea restaurant before about 35 residents, who chanted, "Two more years." She was joined by Selectman Chris Kelly, who also plans to seek the Democratic nomination for the board of selectmen.

"Sometimes life takes you down paths you don't expect to travel, and suddenly there you are," Heavner said. "I don't think anyone could have predicted what happened in Simsbury back in November."

Heavner, a former selectman, took over the top job when First Selectman Mary Glassman resigned Jan. 2 in protest over the Republican-controlled board's decision to cut her pay by 35 percent, effective in July. The cut was the result of a consultant's report — commissioned by Glassman — that recommended shifting some responsibilities of the first selectman's office to other people, and that the position's pay be cut accordingly.

Some Republican selectmen said they were concerned about paying more than one person to do the same job as some responsibilities were shifted away from Glassman in July 2014. The board has since reversed its decision on the pay.

Kelly was appointed to the board of selectmen in January to fill Heavner's vacant seat.

Glassman spoke Thursday night in support of Heavner and said she had restored "fair, open, inclusive and responsive" decision-making to the town.

"Eight months ago, a small group of people made a short-sighted decision that turned Simsbury upside-down," Glassman said. "They made a decision with no regard for fairness or openness or what was best for the people of Simsbury. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to have one person who was willing to step up to right the course."

Glassman said she was proud of Heavner's accomplishments, such as a budget with a tax decrease and bonding for important town projects.

Kelly also praised Heavner, and said that in just six months she helped the board of selectman become a functional group of people who work well together. He said he was "enthusiastic" about his intention to run in 2015.

"Lisa and Chris know that partisan politics have no place in town business, and they have conducted themselves in a way that Simsbury can be proud of — with fairness and with the best interests of our residents in mind," Democratic Town Chairwoman Amy McLean Salls said in a statement.

The local Democrats will officially nominate candidates at a caucus scheduled for July 22, at 6:30 p.m., at Eno Memorial Hall. The election is in November.

Heavner is a three-term member of the board of selectmen and previously served as deputy first selectman. She was the liaison to the board of education and chairwoman of the public safety subcommittee.

Kelly was deputy first selectman from 1983 to 1985 and a member of the board of selectmen from 1989 to 1995. The 46-year Simsbury resident has been on the board of education since 2006 and is an assistant vice president of national sales at Vantis Life Insurance.